Libbie out to inspire Bok Women to RWC glory

Points on the "board" are guaranteed when Libbie Janse van Rensburg steps onto the field to play for the women's Springbok team.

In the recent test series against Spain, she scored 32 points. Against Japan, in two tests, she contributed 11 points. And then there was that "cricket test" against Namibia in which she amassed 36 points (14 conversions and two tries). It is the most points scored in a test by a Springbok women's player.

November last year, she scored a brilliant try against Wales. Playing as an inside centre, she got the ball in her own half. She went on to outwit the Wales defence with clever sidesteps and pure speed to score.

The TuksRugby administrator quickly points out that every point she puts on the board is for the Springboks, not personal glory.

On Saturday, the Springbok team flies out to New Zealand to compete in the World Cup Tournament. The Boks will play France in their first game (8 October). The next match is against Fiji (15 October). Their last pool game is against the world's top-ranked team, England (23 October). France are ranked 4th while the Boks are 11th.

Janse van Rensburg is not one to be fazed about statistics. For her, rugby games are won or lost on the field by putting bodies on the line.

"Playing England will be challenging. I honestly believe we can beat Fiji. That means France will be the crunch game. We can beat France, but it will take a considerable effort. Everyone will have to be 100 per cent committed. We will qualify for the playoffs if we win two of the three games."

"I have already started to analyse France's games. I am especially focusing on how Caroline Drouin (flyhalf) plays. I must admit she is good, but it seems she can get rattled if there is pressure."

According to Janse van Rensburg, every time she dons the coveted "green and gold" jersey, it feels unreal.

"It is as if I play for the Springboks for the first time. I don't know if I will ever get used to playing for the Boks. The one thing I have mastered is to be utterly focused from the very first moment I step onto the field. That is what good flyhalves do."

When asked what she considers her "Wow moment" playing for the Springboks, the Tuks-based player immediately singled out the test against Spain, in which she scored 19 points.

"I had a 100 per cent kicking record, converting five tries and succeeding with three penalties. It is something I will remember for a long time."

In the second test against Spain, she achieved something few Boks players (male and female) have done. That is to drop score and place.

The international trailblazing rugby referee Aimee Barrett is Janse van Rensburg's role model.

"I first met Aimee when I started playing touch rugby. She also played. What is amazing about her is her passion for rugby. She is always prepared to share her knowledge and believes me; she knows a lot. I have already contacted her to help me analyse France's recent games.

"I guess I will be the forever student of the game. It is essential to do so, especially if you want to be better than your opponent."

Nadine Roos (fullback) and Rumandi Potgieter (scrumhalf) are the other Tuks players in the Bok team.